Promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing says a grave injustice has been done to his promotional company involving a fighter and his people, a Buffalo-based agent and most shockingly of all -- his own business partner, Don King.

 

And the New Jersey-based promoter says he fully intends to file a grievance with the newly formed Boxing Promoter's Association.

 

The trouble began last week, when Duva Boxing's fighter, undefeated welterweight James De La Rosa, suddenly claimed publicly he was a promotional free agent. It was shocking news to Duva who has a valid agreement with the fighter.

 

Here's where Duva picks up the story.

 

"James De La Rosa was convinced by his 'advisors' to file for bankruptcy and try to break his promotional contract with us. After James told me this, I called Don King to advise him of the situation. I knew that Don was fighting his own battle with one of these bankruptcy frauds with Nate Campbell and that he has had success fighting it. As my business partner in Duva Boxing, I asked Don for his and his lawyer's help. Don said emphatically to me "Dino, we must fight this. We can't let these fighters screw us with these bankruptcies and I guarantee my help to fight De La Rosa on behalf of Duva Boxing. I was waiting for Don to send me his lawyer's contact information to get started with proceedings.

 

Some time after my call with Don, a slime named Rick Glaser, who is not even a promoter and who causes most people to want to scrub themselves clean after being in his company, brought De La Rosa and his 'advisors' to Don King's office for De La Rosa to sign with DKP. Don King signed De La Rosa last week without even telling me. I found out from a very credible journalist whom Glaser called and gloated about screwing me and bringing James to Don. I've been trying to call Don ever since I found this out and he has been ducking my calls. As hard as it is to believe, this is a new low for Don! Sadly, this isn't a new low for Rick Glaser; it's business as usual."

 

The entire twisted situation, Duva says, is an ideal first case for the Promoter's Association to become involved with. In fact, a portion of the premier meeting involved the problem of fighters claiming bankruptcy to back out of their promotional contracts - a meeting at which King and Glaser were both present!

 

"One of the key points addressed by the promoter's association was promoters raiding other promoters' fighters. Don King signed the promoter's association initial membership document and then immediately proceeded to raid my fighter. On top of this, he is my partner on Duva Boxing! And he did so while also fighting Nate Campbell's bankruptcy and telling me as a partner with my company that he would help me fight De La Rosa.

 

"I am certainly going to take legal action regarding the tortious interference, breach of partnership fiduciary responsibility, etc., but the thing I also really want to bring to light is regarding the newly formed promoter's association. Even though I was physically unable to be at the first meeting, I am a member and believe in it 100%.

I am very confident in the Association's desire to stop this type of behavior by fighters, slimy agents and promoters. We need it to restore order in this great sport that has run amuck."